SKILL SAATHI

COUNSELLING INITIATIVE GUIDELINES

2018

NATIONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

SKILL SAATHI GUIDELINES

Disclaimer:

All information contained in this guideline, subsequently provided/ clarified is in good interest
and faith. Each stakeholder shall conduct its own investigation and analysis & should check the
accuracy, reliability and completeness of the information in this Guideline. Stakeholders shall
make their own independent investigation in relation to any additional information that may be
required. NSDC, without liability or any obligation, reserves the right to amend, delete or add
any information mentioned in this document at any stage.

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Contents
1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Background ................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Skill India Mission ......................................................................................................... ................. 3
1.3 About Skill Saathi Initiative ........................................................................................................... 4
1.3.1 Key Features of Skill Saathi: ......................................................................................................... 4
1.4 Strategy and Approach ........................................................................... ............................................ 5
2 Stakeholders Involved ........................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Target Beneficiaries: ................................................................................................... ........................ 6
2.2 Counselling Implementing Organizations (CIOs): .......................................................................... ..... 6
2.2.1 Types of CIOs & Selection ............................................................................................................ 6
2.2.2 Process Flow Chart for Not for Profit CIO: Empanelment ~ Reimbursement .............................. 6
3 Process Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 7
4 Monetary Payouts ................................................................................................................................. 9
5 Branding and Communication ............................................................................................................ 10
6 Monitoring .......................................................................................................................................... 10

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1 Introduction
1.1 Background
The National Skill Development Mission was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 15 th July 2015
on World Youth Skills Day. The Mission has been developed to create convergence across sectors and
States in terms of skill training activities. Further, to achieve the vision of ‘Skilled India’, the National Skill
Development Mission would not only consolidate and coordinate skilling efforts, but also expedite
decision making across sectors to achieve skilling at scale with speed and standards. It will be
implemented through a streamlined institutional mechanism driven by Ministry of Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

Envisaged by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, the Mission aims at skill training and
certification of the Indian workforce for a better livelihood with dignity and self-reliance. Being one of
the youngest nations globally, India has the potential to become the Skill Capital of the World. Since its
inception, MSDE has undertaken significant initiatives and reforms in terms of formalizing the policy,
framework and standards; launching new programs and schemes; building infrastructure and upgrading
the existing institutions. It has also partnered with States and collaborated with industries to create
societal acceptance and aspirations.

“The New India stands for aspirations, enthusiasm and energy. I firmly believe that the dream of our New
India will be realized through the skill and fortitude of these energetic youth”, Hon’ble Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi

1.2 Skill India Mission

Skill India is an initiative of the Government of India that aims to train over 40 crore people in India in
different skills by 2022. The initiatives include National Skill Development Mission, National Policy for
Skill Development & Entrepreneurship 2015, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) scheme and
the Skill Loan scheme.

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is responsible for co-ordination of all
skill development efforts across the country, removal of disconnect between demand and supply of
skilled manpower, building the vocational and technical training framework, skill up-gradation, building
of new skills, and innovative thinking not only for existing jobs but also jobs that are to be created.

It is aided in these initiatives by – National Skill Development Agency (NSDA), National Skill Development
Corporation (NSDC), National Skill Development Fund (NSDF) and Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) as well as
several training partners registered with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The Ministry
also intends to work with the existing network of skill development centers, universities and other
alliances in the field. Further, collaborations with relevant Central Ministries, State governments,
international organizations, industry and Non-Government Organizations (NGO) have been initiated for
multi-level engagement and more impactful implementation of skill development efforts.

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1.3 About Skill Saathi Initiative

Skill Saathi Initiative aims to counsel 1 crore candidates from 15– 35 years, School & College drop-outs,
young adults from the community, college students, polytechnic students, ITI students, Diploma
students, Graduates, Post-Graduates, PMKVY certified candidates, NEET category (Not in Employment
education or Training), etc. pan India from August 2018. Counselling will be conducted on a standardized
module/content as developed by NSDC/MSDE.

1.3.1 Objectives of the Skill Saathi Initiative:

• Create Awareness about the Skill India Mission and inform the youth of India about
vocational education and its opportunities.
• Sensitize prospective candidates about available Market Opportunities under the Skill India
Mission, including horizontal and vertical pathways.
• Facilitate Psychometric Testing and Face-To-Face Counselling Interventions to create an
individual-level impact to guide aspirants to make the right choice of training and subsequent
employment/entrepreneurship.
• Facilitate Understanding of the concepts of New India, the prospects of India becoming the Skill
Capital of the World and how the new generation of youth can become drivers of change.

The Skill Saathi Initiative would provide benefits to the demand side of industry and business by
providing the potential workforce with decision-making skills, pre-employment skills, increased
worker maturity, reduction in the rate of attrition, increase in the rate of productivity and
employment of candidates as per their areas of interest, aptitude and training.

1.3.1 Key Features of Skill Saathi:

• To counsel 1 crore candidates pan-India from August 2018.

• Target Beneficiaries include students/candidates, School & College Drop-outs, young adults from the
community, college students, polytechnic students, ITI students, Diploma students, Graduates, Post-
Graduates, PMKVY certified candidates, NEET category (Not in Employment education or Training)
and the youth of India at large, preferably in the age group of 15 – 35 years.
• Facilitate Awareness and Guidance among the Candidates about the available courses as per
their aptitude and Psychometric Test results and availability of skill training prospects.
• Capacity Building of Counsellors to fulfil the objective of the Skill Saathi Initiative.

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1.4 Strategy and Approach

• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) will be the implementing agency for this
initiative.
• It is proposed to involve the following agencies to conduct counselling sessions as Counselling
Implementing Organizations (CIOs).
a) Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK): In addition to counselling at their centre, these
PMKKs will be conducting counselling sessions at Institutions like Govt/Non- Govt.
schools & colleges
b) Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV)
c) Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV)
d) Centres of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Garmin Kaushalya Yojna (DDU-GKY)
e) Government ITI, NSTI
f) Volunteers/Members of National Service Scheme (NSS), NCC, Bharat Scouts & Guides
g) Volunteers of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sansthan (NYKS)
h) JSS, Polytechnics
i) Social/Student/ Not for Profit Organizations, subject to empanelment & approval by
NSDC/MSDE, shortlisted by a defined criterion
• Nationwide capacity building workshops for counsellors of the CIOs, will be undertaken by
competent professionals, as assigned by NSDC.
• All CIOs to conduct counselling sessions on the standardized module provided by NSDC, during
working hours of institute.
• All the CIOs for all purposes of the Skill Saathi Initiative will be separate and no overlap of roles
will be permitted to ensure transparency and objectivity.
• The Skill Saathi Initiative will provide pay-outs to the Counselling Implementing Organizations
(CIOs) in alignment with reimbursements predefined by NSDC upon successful completion of
counselling.
• Pay – outs will be based upon successful Monitoring Reports, mapped electronically through the
skillindia.gov.in portal
• The pay-outs will be made through bank transfer to the Counselling Implementing
Organizations’ (CIOs) accounts, as applicable.
• Branding norms as defined in the Branding Guidelines will need to be adhered to.
• Assigning or outsourcing, in whole or in part, any component of its role/ responsibilities or
obligations, under the Skill Saathi initiative, by the Counselling Implementing Organization (CIO)
to any third party, without explicit written approval of NSDC, would amount to misconduct and
is strictly prohibited. NSDC may take appropriate actions against such misconduct.
• False representation, including but not limited to that of: the role of a Counselling Implementing
Organization (CIO), scope or objective of the Skill Saathi Scheme and guidelines, NSDC or the
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in any form would result in action,
including but not limited to suspension as a CIO, blacklisting or any other appropriate legal
remedy available to NSDC.
• Counselling Implementing Organization (CIO) are bound by and shall strictly abide by the Skill
Saathi Guidelines. NSDC may take appropriate actions in case of any violation(s) of the same.
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2 Stakeholders Involved
2.1 Target Beneficiaries:
The Skill Saathi Initiative aims at benefitting 1 crore students/youth across India in the age group of 15-
35 years. The target group could be school students, ITI students, Diploma students, young adults from
the community, college students, polytechnic students, as well as the NEET category (Not in
Employment education or Training) candidates and the youth of India at large. These sessions will be
conducted across India, through the stakeholder’s aka CIOs.

2.2 Counselling Implementing Organizations (CIOs):

Counselling Implementing Organizations (CIOs) shall be given the task of conducting the Counselling
Sessions on a pan-India level.

2.2.1 Types of CIOs & Selection

a) Governmental Organization

These CIOs are organizations/agencies registered under State Government or Government of India
(GoI). Such CIOs are exempted from the selection process. These CIOs may participate in the Skill
Saathi Initiative voluntarily, basis an invitation from MSDE.

b) PMKK Training Partners/ PMKK Centres affiliated under the National Skill Development
Corporation (NSDC) Ecosystem

Such CIOs automatically qualify and are exempted from the selection process. These CIOs will
participate in the Skill Saathi Initiative basis directives from NSDC/MSDE.

c) Non-Governmental organization
Such CIOs will go through a selection process, basis norms laid down by NSDC & duly notified on
https://www.nsdcindia.org. Short listing of CIOs will be carried out by a committee appointed by
NSDC & evaluation criteria as notified on https://www.nsdcindia.org/.

2.2.2 Process Flow Chart for Not for Profit CIO: Empanelment ~ Reimbursement

• Step 1: Invitation for Expression of Interest

• Step 2: Submission of Expression of Interest – Through Registering on Skill Saathi app/portal
• Step 3: Short listing of CIOs by committee appointed by NSDC & evaluation criteria as notified on
https://www.nsdcindia.org/
• Step 4: Final selection of CIOs by the committee appointed by NSDC, for a maximum of 5 CIOs per
district on first come first served basis
• Step 5: Information dissemination to CIO regarding selection, with login credentials to participate in
Skill Saathi.

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• Step 6: After the registration process is complete the CIOs will share their counselling calendars with
NSDC at least 15 days in advance of the commencement of the exercise on ground. They should
update any changes in the calendar at least 2 days in advance of the counselling event.
• Step 7: Conduct of Counselling Sessions
• Step 8: Monitoring, Tracking & Validation of Sessions by competent authority
• Step 9: Reimbursement to the CIO basis guidelines mentioned in monetary pay - out

3 Process Methodology

A systematic process is essential to achieve the objective behind conducting the Skill Saathi Initiative at
the pan-India level. This requires effective planning and review of each session that the CIO conducts.
The process begins with the registration of the organization/center as a Counselling Implementing
Organization (CIO).

Registration of Eligible Counselling Implementing Organization

STEP 1
(CIO).

Eligible Counselling Implementing Organization (CIO) must register in the following Web Portal
http://skillsaathi.nsdcindia.org/signup.php. Profile of Counselling Implementing Organization (CIO)
would go through an approval process, and conclusion would be communicated by NSDC for further
action.

Identification and Mobilization of candidates for the Counselling

STEP 2
Session

Identification of potential beneficiaries of the counselling campaign mark the beginning of effective
planning. The Counselling Implementing Organization (CIO) must identify the candidates that need to
receive counselling. The selection of candidates must be aligned to the key objectives of the Skill Saathi
Initiative. These candidates must be mobilized through various methods.

Methods for conducting effective Mobilization:

• Door-to-door mechanism
• Advertisement in the local newspaper
• Connect with local youth organizations and engage them in the process
• Regional/Community Radio
• Connect with Gram Panchayat in case of rural areas.
• Connect with Community Service Centers (CSC)
• Pamphlet Distribution

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• Connecting with prominent local institutions who work for social welfare and engaging with
them in creating awareness amongst youth and generating interest to know more about the
Skill India Mission
• Connecting with MPs, MLAs, Block Development Officers etc. to create awareness and
generating interest amongst youth and generating interest to know more about the Skill
India Mission
• Any other

Apart from the above-enlisted methods, the CIOs can employ more creative techniques to engage with
youth and increase their participation. The CIOs shall maintain a detailed database of the candidates
identified, to refer to, before conducting a Counselling Session.

STEP 3 Organization of Logistics

The counselling venue with adequate capacity of seating arrangement must be ascertained, before
conducting the Counselling Session. The time should be convenient, and the location should be easily
accessible, comfortable and safe for the candidates and/or those required for the session. Information
of the time and location must be provided clearly to the candidates, during the mobilization exercise,
with a clear communication of a Helpline Number/support service. There should be dedicated SPOCs of
the participating CIO(s) who shall be available to guide the candidates when required.

The venue must be equipped with a projector, sound system and mike for screening of the counselling
video. There shall be volunteers/officials to manage the group of students, to ensure smooth
functioning of the Session.

Suitable arrangements for the registration of the candidates should be ensured. The CIO should also have
dedicated staff to ensure timely and correct filling of mandated fields on the candidate registration App.

STEP 4 Capacity Building of Counsellors

Each CIO is expected to either enroll professional counsellors/trainers/individuals for the execution of
this campaign or engage people from the training eco system who will befit the purpose. These
counsellors may be individuals who can efficiently interact with the target group and have sector-
specific knowledge. The counsellor should be able to actively engage with the candidates and impart the
content interestingly. The delivery should essentially be motivating. The candidates should be
encouraged to reach out to these counsellors even after the counselling session for long-term support.

The entire counselling initiative with its process of execution and objectives, must be explained in detail
to the counsellors. The CIO shall ensure proper understanding by the counsellor about the entire time-
bound exercise before assigning tasks further.

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Registration of counselling event, location, session details and

STEP 5
Candidates

Counselling Implementing Organization (CIO) is required to download the Skill Saathi mobile application
to register the counselling session, event, location and candidates. It is mandatory to use only the
mobile device and application (app) to register and upload credentials of the counselling event. Process
will be monitored during the session and adhering to the defined format is imperative for successful
execution and necessary monetary payout.

STEP 6 Counselling Session

Each Counselling Session is proposed to be of one-hour duration, approximately and shall be divided
into 5 steps which need to be adhered to, by the CIO executing the Skill Saathi Initiative on-ground. The
following are the proposed steps in which the Counselling Session would proceed.

• Introductory Session – Duration 10-15 Minutes (As in the Skill Saathi Process Manual provided to
CIOs)
• Counselling Video Screening – Duration 10-15 Minutes
• Tool Kit distribution for each candidate. Duration 5 Minutes
• Post Screening Interactive Session – Duration 5-10 Minutes
• Psychometric Test (Occupational Interest Profiling) – Duration 20 Minutes
• Question & Answers – Duration 5 Minutes

4 Monetary Payouts
4.1 Incentives for the Counselling Implementing Organizations

Each CIO may be incentivized with a financial reimbursement @ ₹40 per candidate.

The reimbursable amount will be for registered candidates, valid counselling session photo uploads on
the Skill Saathi app and other mandates mentioned in Section 3. The CIO could conduct 1 or more
sessions in a location. E.g. On 5th September, XYZ enterprises may conduct one session at KV in
Bhubaneshwar and another in JNV also in Bhubaneshwar.

Disbursement would be digital online process on successful monitoring and evaluation followed by 2
level of verification.

The amount will be transferred electronically based on the bank details provided by the CIO in the CIO
Skill Saathi Monitoring App.

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* Remittance will depend upon successful quality operation of counselling sessions abided by listed
protocols in section 3 (Process Methodology) and monitoring mechanism reports as analyzed and
approved by competent authority as mentioned in section 6

5 Branding and Communication

Branding pertaining to the campaign becomes important as it will be designed such that it motivates
and educates the candidates/youth attending the counselling sessions and registers to be different in
style from the regular branding formats followed elsewhere under Skill India activities. The counselling
sessions and the branding integrated with them would aim to instill a feeling of being ‘Empowered
Drivers of Change’ in the mind of attendees, together with promoting the Skill Saathi Initiative.

Standardized branding guidelines to be followed by CIOs, during the execution of a counselling session

• Adequate size, prominently visible standee of the branding provided by NSDC at the entrance of the
venue
• Adequate size, prominently visible banner of the branding provided by NSDC at the back of the
hall/room in which counselling is being conducted
• Making short duration videos (max 30 seconds-mobile) of at least 4 candidates in every session with
a relevant cut out or poster at the back stating how helpful the session was for him/her and sharing
it with NSDC for circulating on social media.
• Tagging sharing benefits of Skill Saathi on all Social Media Platforms like Twitter #farkdikhrahahai etc.
• All content on the collaterals shared by NSDC will be adapted in regional languages as well, by NSDC
for better comprehension.

NSDC Branding Guidelines, shall be adhered to at all times. Please refer to the Branding
Guidelines on http://pmkvyofficial.org/Marketing-Guidelines.aspx
6 Monitoring

To monitor the Counselling Sessions executed by the CIOs, the following methods may be used to verify
and validate the Counselling Sessions:

• Analysis of data on the Skill Saathi Monitoring App – mapping Geo Tagged & Time Stamped
coordinates of the pictures of the counselling session, with that of the registered CIO/centre
credentials
• Analysis of credentials mentioned against each candidate mapping Geo Tagged & Time Stamped
coordinates of the pictures of the candidates attending the counselling session, with that of the
registered CIO/centre credentials
• Call Validations (Optional)

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• NSDC reserves the right to validate each unique candidate on L1 and L2 level, before making
reimbursement to CIO’s.
• Surprise Visits (Optional)
• NSDC reserves the right to check the duplication of candidates, basis its internal mechanisms
• Officials of MSDE/NSDC shall also be empowered to monitor Skill Saathi Counselling events
• Occasional Visit of MPs, MLAs and regional public representatives
• NSDC reserves the right to conduct forensic audit, and in case of any adverse findings, monetary
pay – outs will not be reimbursed.
• Penalties such as suspension, revocation of counselling targets or blacklisting may be levied
on the CIO, if found guilty of:
a) Corrupt practices, including but not limited to offering/ giving/ receiving/ soliciting anything
of value to influence the action of NSDC’s official(s) in the execution of the Scheme; or
b) Fraudulent Practices, including but not limited to the CIO uploading: photograph of
photograph, blurred photograph of candidate, same candidates’ repeated photographs,
over-aged candidates’ photographs, any other objects other than candidate photographs,
photograph where candidate seems to be not appearing as Skill Saathi candidate,
photograph where Skill Saathi has not been conducted in compiled manner, on the Skill
Saathi application.
c) Unauthorized use of confidential data, including but not limited to personally identifiable
information of Candidates, confidential execution of Government Schemes, etc.
• Monetary penalty may also be levied, if the CIO engages in any activity amounting to Corrupt
and Fraudulent Practices; and/or Unauthorized use of confidential data, which may extend up to
10 times more than the total monthly reimbursement sought.

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